On assignment
It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. –Mark 13:34
When I was 16, I worked as a "bagger" at the local grocery store. As customers checked out, I put their items in brown paper bags, placed the bags in a cart, pushed the cart to their vehicle, and loaded them up for the drive home. It was an entry-level job; the pay was $2.65/hr. I did not see it as a long-term gig. With any luck, it would keep gas in my car so I could drive around with my friends and go on dates.
I came to work in a bad mood one day and let it spill over onto one of our customers, who reported my poor attitude to my supervisor. He pulled me aside, not so kindly, to remind me of his expectations. Surprisingly, he didn’t much care how my day was going. The customers paid our wages, so it was my job to "Kill 'em with kindness!" I did not fully appreciate it at the time, but I learned two lessons that day. (1) Regardless of my position, I have the power to make someone's day better or worse, and (2) Every job God places me in is an opportunity for Him to teach me something I will need in future assignments.
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. –Mark 13:32-33
As I studied this week about the return of Christ, I tried to discern what it means to “wait well”. Recent events have created an environment where some think Jesus’ arrival may be imminent. God has certainly gotten the attention of a lot of folks, and it seems He is up to something. But God is always up to something, isn’t He? Repeatedly in Scripture, we are told that His coming is certain, but the day and hour are unknown. We are also given instruction for how we are to prepare.
Jesus told His us to “be alert!”, to “keep watch!”, to “stay awake!”, to “be on guard!”. And when the Master arrives, be found carrying out the work He has left for us. Many today have grown complacent, as if Jesus may never come back. Others are so certain that we are approaching the end that they would advise to stock up on non-perishables and ammo, hunker down with your loved ones, and get ready for the final battle. Neither response matches Jesus’ directives.
Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: “Watch!” -Mark 13:35-37
He IS coming back. God is famous for keeping His promises. The fact that it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it isn't going to. And while there is a lot of suggestion that things will get pretty perilous as we approach the end, our mission hasn’t changed. Love God. Love others. Be His witnesses.
That brings me back to the lessons I learned as a 16-year-old grocery bagger. We are on assignment. Wherever we are, whatever our circumstances, whatever our role, our mission remains constant. We waste time we could use to make a difference for the Kingdom when we fail to appreciate the impact we have here and now or we look at our current assignment as just a stepping stone to be endured and moved past. Let’s work the work God has placed in front of us. Run the earth and watch the sky.